Roadrunner Recap!

September 4th - September 7th: Labor Day Break - No School

September 11th: Principal's Coffee - 9:00am in the Cafeteria

September 17th: Diversity Committee's Potluck Dinner

September 21st: No School - Yom Kippur

September 26th: Fall Festival (12:00 - 4:00pm)

September 29th: Chick Fil A Spirit Event (Chick Fil A Reston North Point)

September 30th: 3 Hour Early Release

FCPS School Year Calendar for 2026-2027

Click HERE to catch up on the helpful and important information sent by the school on August 28th!

Fundraising Update

Roadrunners Are Off and Running!

We are only two weeks into the school year, and already nearly 20% of GFES families are participating in our Roadrunner Giving Campaign! At this pace, Principal Harper and Assistant Principal McCartney may want to start figuring out how to make those desks comfortable on the roof! 

Haven’t participated yet? There are some pretty fun reasons to consider the different giving levels—from a chance to be PE Teacher for the Day, to seeing your child’s name on the GFES marquee for their birthday, to a chance to be Principal for the Day! And all levels of giving include PTA membership! Click HERE to participate in the Roadrunner Giving Campain!

Corporate Sponsor Spotlight: Thompson Restaurants

A huge thank you to our 2026–27 Legacy Benefactor, Thompson Restaurants! With deep roots in our local community, their incredible generosity and support of GFES mean so much to our Roadrunners.

There is also exciting news to celebrate: Thompson Restaurants recently announced its acquisition of L’Auberge Chez François, a beloved Great Falls institution, with a commitment to preserving what has made this renowned restaurant so special. We are thrilled to see such an important part of Great Falls shepherded by a trusted local family and accomplished restaurant group for years to come. Congratulations to Thompson Restaurants, and thank you for your tremendous support of GFES! 

Become a Corporate Sponsor!

If anyone - person, family, company - is interested in becoming a Corporate Sponsor, please click HERE to learn more on how our school can benefit from your sponsorship as well as promoting your business throughout the school year! 

Questions about the Roadrunner Giving Campaign or becoming a Corporate Sponsor? Please reach out to fundraisingvp@gfespta.com and/or president@gfespta.com. Thank you so much!

Become a Room Parent!

Art Enrichment Classroom Leads Needed

We are still looking for art enrichment leads for the following classes: Kindergarten - Gould, 3rd grade - Morris (PM), 4th Grade - Day (PM), 6th grade - Oliver (PM). Please use the link below for more information and to sign up.

Art Enrichment Lead Interest Form

Sign Up for Girls on the Run!

Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a fun, evidence-based running program for girls in grades 3rd through 6th, which inspires girls to build their confidence, kindness, and decision making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health. The GOTR season begins on September 21st and goes through November 22nd. Practices will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the GFES track from 7:30AM to 8:30 AM.

Registration is open now and will remain open through Monday September 14th. Please click HERE to register! 

Are you interested in being an assistant coach this season with Girls on the Run (GOTR)? If interested, click HERE to fill out the interest form. If you have any questions, please reach out to president@gfespta.com! Thank you so much!

Sign up for Let Me Run!

ATTENTION boys grades 3rd through 6th: LET ME RUN, the boys running program, is back for the fall season! The season begins on September 9th and will end on November 4th! Practice will be on Mondays and Wednesdays at the GFES track from 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM.

Registration is open! Register at this link: LMR Registration

There are only 3 spots remaining! Register now before the spots all fill up!

Let Me Run is a nonprofit wellness program that inspires boys to be themselves, be active, and belong. Coaches follow a unique curriculum that uses the power of running to encourage boys to develop their emotional, social, and physical health. Coaches will lead a team of 3rd - 6th graders through practices designed to amplify confidence, self-expression, and respect for peers.

Principal's Coffee - Friday September 11th 

Please join us on Friday, September 11th at 9:00am in the GFES Cafeteria for the opportunity to meet with Principal Sara Harper. She will be talking about the year ahead. 

Please click HERE to RSVP and to submit any questions you might have prior to the meeting on September 11th! Thank you so much!

Science Olympiad

Ignite your curiosity and unleash your inner scientist by joining the GFES Science Olympiad team!

Division A interest meeting: Tuesday September 22nd at 7pm

Division B interest meeting: Thursday September 17th at 7pm

Please scan the QR code below for more information!

If you have questions, you can reach out to divaso@gfespta.com or scienceolympiad@gfespta.com

Math Olympiad  

Math Olympiad is back for a second year! The Math Olympiad program is dedicated to developing advanced problem-solving skills and fostering a love for mathematics through participation in national competitions! If you are interested in being part of Math Olympiad, please fill out the Math Olympiad Interest Form by Friday, October 2nd! An information meeting will be held in October! If you have any questions, or if you are interested in helping coach, please reach out to matholympiad@gfespta.com

Thank you so much!

GFES PTA Cultural and Diversity Committee Invites your Family to a Welcome Potluck Dinner!

Join us for an evening of community building and sharing to learn about the diverse backgrounds that make up the Great Falls Elementary family.

Sign up to bring a dish for the potluck dinner, and share your recipe if you’d like. Please RSVP HERE

Thursday, September 17, 5:30 - 7:30, School Cafeteria

Please RSVP by September 15th!

We hope to see you there!

Fall Festival - September 26th

Join the Roadrunner community and let's FALL INTO FUN for the GFES PTA’s Fall Festival on Saturday, September 26th from 12-4pm. Tickets are $12 per person if purchased in advance online ($14 in person), and all attendees ages 4 and up are required to have a ticket. We have many fun games, crafts, activities, food, and more planned for this year’s festival! We can’t wait to see you there!

Please visit the Fall Festival Page for more information!

Purchase Tickets HERE

Fall Festival Volunteers Needed!

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE Fall Festival amazing! This is one of our biggest events of the year, and it cannot happen without our supportive Roadrunner community. If you are interested in helping on the day of the event, there are many ways to help.

We would love to have middle school and high school student volunteers for our activity stations! We will sign for service hours. 

Please sign up HERE to volunteer! Thank you so much in advance for helping to make Fall Festival a success!

If you have any questions, please email president@gfespta.com 

Before School Spanish Language

Program 2026-2027

ChiCeLaCu, in partnership with the PTA, will be expanding the Spanish Before School Program to a full 5-day week for the upcoming school year.

How the Program Works

To provide more flexibility and immersion, we have structured the week into two parts:

• Core Program (Mon/Wed/Fri): Our standard curriculum continues on these primary days.

• Supplemental Module (Tue/Thu): This new addition is available exclusively to students enrolled in the 3-day core program.

Classes will be held from 7:40 AM to 8:40 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays or Mondays through Fridays beginning on September 14th, 2026 and ending on May 5th, 2027. ChiCeLaCu! follows the FCPS calendar with respect to teacher workdays, holidays, and school cancellations.

To register, follow this link.

GFES Fall After-School Programs

GFES PTA partners with Baroody Camps academies to provide three sessions of a wide variety of quality, safe after-school activities for students of all ages. Classes take place at GFES for an hour directly after school.

Fall 2026 Registration Opens this Tuesday, September 8th at 10:00am and closes Sunday, September 27th at 11:59pm!

FINANCIAL AID REGISTRATION DETAILS ️closes Monday, September 21st @ 11:59 PM (closes earlier than general registration)

Click HERE to register!

Classes begin Tuesday October 6th!

New Family Buddy Program

Is your family new to Great Falls Elementary?  Could you use a friendly & trusted resource to ask questions and learn more about our community? Are you a veteran GFES family that wants to lend a helping hand to new families so they can learn more about Great Falls Elementary and our community?

Please sign up HERE to be matched with another family to kick off this school year on a positive note!

If you have any questions, please reach out to familyliaison@gfespta.com or president@gfespta.com

Cultural and Diversity Committee 

Some upcoming events members of our diverse community celebrate include:

• Rosh Hashanah - September 12th (begins at sunset on September 11th)
• National Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15th - October 15th 
• Yom Kippur - September 21st (begins at sunset on September 20th)

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Mark your calendars! We are excited to have three events planned through our Cultural and Diversity committee this year! More details about each event will be shared as the dates gets closer! 

• Potluck Dinner - September 17th
• Diversity Showcase - December 3rd
• Playground Picnic - April 10th

Interested in helping out with our Cultural and Diversity Committee? Please reach out to president@gfespta.com to learn more!

Interested in sharing more about your family? Please click HERE to share what makes your family a unique member of our community! 

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Lending Library!

Last year we created a new lending library!! Don't forget to visit it in the school vestibule and check out a book!

We are still seeking donations of culturally rich and diverse books that celebrate different backgrounds, voices, and experiences. Whether it's a beloved folktale, a story in another language, or a book that reflects your family's heritage—your contribution can help every person see themselves in the pages. Drop off your books on the shelf in the school vestibule and help us grow a library as vibrant and inclusive as our community! You can also visit our Lending Library Wishlist to purchase a book for the library! Thank you so much!

Community Offering: Great Falls Basketball Fall Clinics

2026-2027 Corporate Sponsors!

Thank you so much for your support!!

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